More Baritas

This would be the sequel I think. The previous set can be found here. I love drinking decent coffee so much that I made friends with quite a number of these warm, hard working and patient folks. Being a Barista is a bit of both mastery of coffee and good public relations I think. Mind you it can get stressful. Especially on days when customers like me tend to get extra annoying. The next time you enjoy your cup of coffee, spare a thought for these hardworking yet still cheerful folks. 

Unwinding Back Home

Not too long ago, I had the chance to take a short vacation and spent some time back home at Bacolod City. Then again it was really due to some errands. I got to spend the weekend with the family though, so it wasn't too bad despite the nasty humidity and heat that makes one feel like being baked when stepping out of air conditioned rooms. Not too many photos though. Terrible heat and some creeping sick feeling means not too much action. I still managed to take some random pictures though.

The Way Back - Narita Layover

While Nashville was fun, warm and welcoming, we inevitably had to leave. On one chilly Friday morning, we met up at the hotel lobby and embarked on our journey back to Manila. We flew to Atlanta, and almost missed our flight to Japan. The flight to Japan has been long and unforgiving. We've had some respite when we touched down in Narita. From there, we had some time to unwind a bit before our flight to Manila. I thought it'd be an opportunity to look around the airport.

Dinner With Office Folks

While we didn't have exactly the time to go wander around Nashville during working days, on our last two nights before flying back we got treated to some awesome eats by one our bosses there. It was actually amazing each night. On the first night we went to this Bar/Restaurant/Brewery called Fat Bottom. Apart from the awesome food, it had great music. On the following night, I forgot to take note the name of the other restaurant. It was a fine dining place, and food was great too.

I did mention previously that we were going home.  But our visit here wasn't going to end without any going away gathering.

Downtown Nashville Nights

While I enjoyed walking around Nashville in the day,  the nights there were no less lively, festive and colorful. It's not exactly Las Vegas, but nonetheless the lights are bright with a crowd that's plenty. It's nothing like a sleepy town I initially thought it'd be. As far as interesting places go, it's as fun as any.

Nashville Days - Getting All Chummy

By now I've gotten comfortable with the environment, so I've gone a bit more assertive (read: reckless) and it made for some more images more intimate than the previous sets. And I've gotten more fun at it actually. I can't stop raving on how awesome and lively Nashville is.

Our Stay In Nashville Hosted By Hilton Garden Inn

Our stay in Nashville has proven to be enjoyable. Yes, it was work, flight was terrible due to delays and close calls in our flights going to and from Atlanta, but while we were in Nashville, after work hours were awesome hours. What made it better was the fact that our hotel was located right in the middle of Downtown, surrounded by awesome places, and our office was only a block away. I especially like the convenience of the hotel we stayed in. If I'm ever back in Nashville, I'd definitely pick this place to stay.

Nashville Days - Getting To Know

We arrived in Nashville at midnight. Tired and weary, we checked in to the hotel. The hotel was a more traditional looking offering compared to the one we stayed in at California. Went to sleep after that. When I woke up it was almost noon. My co-worker was nowhere to be found, so it was just my boss and I having a stroll downtown. There's an NHL event this week, and the whole place was quite lovely.

Travelling By Plane

While I like travelling in general, especially when the mood hits me, travelling domestic in the US has become a nightmare for me. I'd not generalize though. It's a given that delays are inevitable. I usually won't mind it. It all becomes an ordeal when it means missing the next flight. I have visited Atlanta, GA. I was there... For around half an hour. Running like hell transferring from one terminal to another fearing I'd miss the next flight. It's not something that one easily forgets.

Our Home Away From Home

This cozy place is called Marriott Residence Inn. It's our home away from home. This album showcases some interesting spots in it. I think it's a homely and cozy place. It looks more like a compound than a hotel building. The rooms are complete and have generous spaces too. Uh, no, I won't have pictures of what my room looks like.

Around California

We came here for work. I managed to somehow steal some snaps along the way especially outside work. I tend to forget my photographic side when at the office due to immense tasks we tackle day in and day out. This album has some shots I have taken outside the office, during the weekend before work, or on some nights after working.

Last Leg: LAX to SFO

At last we're back in USA. But we can't settle down just yet. We're not where we want to be. We landed in LAX (LA International Airport) and gone through customs. Predictably, I don't have pictures of those. Folks are pretty paranoid about it for "security reasons". Personally I like SFO better than LAX. Need to have a short break first. And lunch as well. After that, we hit the flight to where we want to be: SFO (San Francisco International Airport). It takes us the better part of the day.
Please excuse the captions, they take a bit of time to load. You can view the complete slide show at the end of the entry.

2016 Flight To USA

I left my heart in San Francisco. Now I'm coming back... To leave other parts of me on other places I guess. Yes this is my first big adventure for some time. Make no mistake, this journey is for work. But I still enjoy being in a foreign and friendlier country. This album shows the beginning of my big journey. On a side note, I changed the settings in Flickr to ensure it shows the comments. Try clicking on the images if they don't show up upon loading.

On this entry I'll be geeking out. A lot. Growing up I've been a fan of airplanes, and aviation in general. So yes, I know my Boeing 747 from my Airbus A380 and I can tell apart the A320 from the 737. Please excuse the geek.

Little Tokyo Afternoon

It was a quiet Sunday in December and I met up with a friend for lunch. It doesn't look like much but this turns out to be a really interesting place. This is as Japanese as it gets. If I wanted any more I'd have to go to Japan. I also had great desserts and coffee later in the afternoon too.

December Weekend Walks

December weekends I had the time to walk some more and explore the area near the office. I was on call, since the office was more conducive for work, I decided to just set up there and in the event I’m called I’m just a few minutes away. Better than staying at home I think.

Glowing Lanterns. These lanterns are among the numerous light sources providing illumination at a local Japanese restaurant I frequent in.

My Barista Friends

This album goes out to the friends I've made from all the coffee I've been drinking. This list doesn't show everyone of them though. These folks help cheer me up throughout the day. Yes I drink so much coffee that I made friends with numerous baristas. Some of them even know what I'll have on sight.

Behind The Counter. Walk to the counter and you’ll see some thing like this. This lovely lady, like her friends make great coffee.

Weekends At Burgos Circle

I didn't feel like staying at home. I was going to meet some friends tonight, so I thought I'd go and work out. After a few sets I went out and enjoyed the afternoon. Bonifacio Global City is a lovely place. A shame I don't get to enjoy it during the weekdays. Well, it's the weekend, here I am, and with a camera in hand I went out to doing what I like doing-- wandering. Though, no, I'm not necessarily lost. I hardly ever get t go out and enjoy the sights around here though. Taking a second look shows some things I usually miss out on when I go about my daily grind.

Burgos Circle. It doesn't look obvious from here, but the grassy area with the trees at the other side of the road is a roundabout, which also serves as a small park. Towering buildings around it provide shade in the afternoon if the trees still won't suffice. The place is surrounded by several restaurants, pubs and other shops that usually open until late night. Dogs, kids and joggers frequent the area during the weekend afternoons.

December Nights In Ayala

It was a quiet night. I thought I’d go out and enjoy the lights. It doesn’t have to be a dark and gloomy night. There are lights everywhere cheerful and sparkling making it alright.

Lights All Around. Visitors look on admiring the season themed lights, like the local shop customers and the tourists taking a stroll.

Failed Errand, No Problem

It was the start of October and I was going to go and have the car serviced. Sadly, they're unable to accomodate me so they had me reschedule instead. It was an afternoon too lovely to go home early. I went back to Alabang Town Center. It’s been a while since I’ve last been there.

Rocking Benches. I like how innovative this is. It’s a lovechild of your run of the mill bench and rocking chair. And they mixed in a dash of Kit-Kat. It’s the first time I saw a furniture of its kind and it naturally blends in with the surroundings. No awkward looking furniture sticking like a sore thumb here. But I think it’s mean for couples. Or folks with extra girth maybe? (Ehem. Namely yours truly.)

Sunday At Silay City

View From My Seat. I've chosen this table. To my left is the view of the counter top, and the darker area beyond was for the bar and more interesting (read: Alcoholic) drinks. Also there's a good view of the menu if I'm not contented with the one that's already on the table provided by the waiter.

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon. The family had no intention of going out to hang out so I decided to go catch up with my cousin. He knew a quiet place or two. I'm keen on having some pleasant surprises. And so off we go!